Harborough Town’s FA Cup campaign failed to get off to a dream start as they were reduced to ten-men and held to a goalless draw at The Beehive against Leek Town in the First Round Qualifying.
Harborough Town 0
Leek Town 0
Both sides struggled to get a foothold in the game, unable to assert themselves in the wet and windy conditions in a match that lacked any real fluidity or cutting edge. Harborough slightly edged the opening stages, with George Carline’s long throws and Eliot Putman’s set-pieces proving their most likely route to goal. Riley O’Sullivan and Danny Newton both had half chances but Leek Town keeper Xander Parke was equal to them. The best opportunity of the half fell to O’Sullivan, who fired into the side netting after a clever dink to the far post from Dempsey Arlott-John with the outside of his foot. Josh Brehaut would have been the happier of the two managers’ going into half-time as his team showed resilience, sticking to a rigid game plan, and stifling the home side.
The second half almost got off to the perfect start as Danny Newton set up Brady Hickey, whose audacious overhead kick nearly caught out Leek Town’s replacement keeper Dino Visser. The game’s major talking point came just after the hour mark. With the cagey tie hanging in the balance, Harborough were reduced to ten men when captain Connor Kennedy was shown a straight red card following a late tackle in midfield, sparking a heated scuffle between both teams.
Both managers made tactical tweaks and multiple substitutions, however, despite the extra man, the Blues failed to capitalise as the Bees continued to create the better chances. A delicate lay-off from Newton set up O’Sullivan, whose drilled effort forced substitute keeper Dino Visser into a smart save. Jutorre Burgess, who looked a threat off the bench in his final club appearance before linking up with Bermuda, blazed a late chance over from the edge of the box. Leek’s best moment came just before stoppage time when Connor Heath’s pinpoint through ball released Hayden Campbell, only to be denied by a strong hand from Elliott Taylor. Midfielder Devon Kelly-Evans impressed throughout, showing composure on the ball, and dictating much of Harborough’s play.
In the end, neither side could find a way to break the stalemate, setting up a Tuesday night replay in Staffordshire.
MOTM: Devon Kelly-Evans
Report: Ben Monti
Photo: RB Media
Attendance: 524
Match: Emirates FA Cup First Round Qualifying